. OnHiatus.com > Journal 1 > Day Index > Journal Entry: May 1, 2001

Tuesday, May 1, 2001
Pokhara to Katmandu, Nepal
Nepal's FlagKatmandu Valley's Flag

Map
Katmandu, Nepal:
Latitude: 27° 42' 53" North
Longitude: 85° 17' 25" East
Altitude: 4610 feet
From Seattle: 8447 miles
Lodging: Hotel - Kathmandu Guest House

Map
Today's Travel:
Country: Nepal
Region: Katmandu Valley
Route: Bus: Pokhara - Katmandu
Path:Pokhara - Katmandu, Nepal
Linear:89 miles
Weather: Mostly Sunny

Available Photos:

Mountains from bus station Pokhara, Nepal

Bodhnath Stupa Bodhnath, Katmandu, Nepal

Bodhnath Stupa Bodhnath, Katmandu, Nepal

Bodhnath Stupa Bodhnath, Katmandu, Nepal

Bodhnath Stupa Bodhnath, Katmandu, Nepal

People on stupa steps Bodhnath, Katmandu, Nepal

Bodhnath Stupa Bodhnath, Katmandu, Nepal

Prayer flags Bodhnath, Katmandu, Nepal

Prayer flags Bodhnath, Katmandu, Nepal

Bodhnath Stupa Bodhnath, Katmandu, Nepal

Bodhnath Stupa Bodhnath, Katmandu, Nepal

Bodhnath Stupa Bodhnath, Katmandu, Nepal

Bodhnath Stupa Bodhnath, Katmandu, Nepal

Bodhnath Stupa Bodhnath, Katmandu, Nepal

Bodhnath Stupa Bodhnath, Katmandu, Nepal

Bodhnath Stupa Bodhnath, Katmandu, Nepal

Bodhnath Stupa Bodhnath, Katmandu, Nepal

Bodhnath Stupa Bodhnath, Katmandu, Nepal

Bodhnath Stupa Bodhnath, Katmandu, Nepal

Bodhnath Stupa Bodhnath, Katmandu, Nepal

Bodhnath Stupa Bodhnath, Katmandu, Nepal

Bodhnath Stupa Bodhnath, Katmandu, Nepal

Bodhnath Stupa Bodhnath, Katmandu, Nepal

Prayer flags in front of the stupa Bodhnath, Katmandu, Nepal

Prayer flags at sunset Bodhnath, Katmandu, Nepal

Prayer flags at sunset Bodhnath, Katmandu, Nepal

Bodhnath Stupa Bodhnath, Katmandu, Nepal

Bodhnath Stupa Bodhnath, Katmandu, Nepal

Bodhnath Stupa Bodhnath, Katmandu, Nepal

Bodhnath Stupa Bodhnath, Katmandu, Nepal

Bodhnath Stupa Bodhnath, Katmandu, Nepal

Bodhnath Stupa Bodhnath, Katmandu, Nepal

Bodhnath Stupa Bodhnath, Katmandu, Nepal

All photo images © 1997-2000 Anthony Jones - Images may not be used without prior written approval.

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Map
Trip Stats to Date:
Day: 1482
Linear Dist: 277091
Countries Visited: 76
Regions Visited: 288
More stats...
Hotels: 609
Friends / Family: 338
Camping: 130
Hostels: 262
Transit: 99
Other Lodging: 13
Beers: 4602
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Journal Entry:
We woke up to clear skies and the mountain view from our balcony was glorious - too bad we were leaving. I went and collected the laundry so I could finish packing - the overnight wind helped a little, but the clothes are still pretty wet. We caught a taxi to the bus station where we found out our bus is late - but it was no problem with a mountain view like that! The bus ride back to Katmandu was very slow. At one point traffic was stopped for over an hour - we never found out why. I was getting very worried when after three hours we'd only gone 30 miles, but we were able to make up a little time and we got in to Katmandu around 3:30 in the evening. We shared a taxi with Jamie and Jen again back to Thamel. Luckily there was no problem with out reservation and we were able to check in to our nice room (though slightly pricey) room quickly.

After dropping the gear off we headed out to spend the evening at Bodhnath. The ride out was long due to the traffic, but it was well worth it. Bodhnath has Nepal's largest stupa (124 feet tall) and is one of the most important Tibetan Buddhist sites. The stupa really is beautiful - it's on a large four level octagonal base and the buildings have encroached so closely that it now looks as if it's in a courtyard. It was very crowded and very active - excellent people watching - and as it got later it only got more and more crowded. We spend two hours and walked around it a dozen or so times on each level. We watched the sunset and people, and took lots of pictures. After sunset we took a tuktuk (auto rickshaw) back to Durbar Square as Amy wanted to do some last minute shopping. From the square we slowly strolled back to Thamel enjoying the night air and slowly browsing some of the shops. Back in Thamel Amy dumped her purchases in the room and we headed out to diner and live music at the New Orleans Cafe (again).


Related Sites:
CNN: Current Weather in Katmandu
US State Department Consular Information Sheets: Nepal
CIA - The World Factbook: Nepal

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